PLANC AWARDS
The PLANC awards are a source of immense pride for our professional association. Each year, we take great joy in honoring our dedicated colleagues through the PLANC awards. These awards recognize individuals for their outstanding contributions to our profession and their commitment to excellence in all aspects of their professional lives.
Dean Gerald Lee Wilson Award for Excellence in Pre-Law Advising
Dean Gerald L. Wilson is a founding member of PLANC and was elected its first chair in 1984. As the person who compiled and edited the Handbook for Pre-Law Advisors, he is widely recognized as the preeminent pre-law advisor in the nation. He has been the pre-law advisor at Duke University for four decades. The first recipient of the Dean Gerald Lee Wilson Award was announced at the 2012 PLANC National Conference in Washington, DC. The award will be given annually.


Emerging Leader Award
Details about this award will be provided at a later date- Stay Tuned!
Wilson Award Recipients

Ana Alvarez
2022
Assistant Director, Institute for Law and Public Affairs and Pre-Law Advisor at University of Texas at San Antonio

Brother Glenn Bolton
2020
Pre-Law Advisor, Saint Mary’s College of California

Wendy Vonnegut
2019
Associate Professor & Director of Legal Studies, Methodist University

Heather Struck
2017
Assistant Dean and Pre-Law Advisor, Cornell University

Mel Hailey
2015
Professor of Political Science, Abilene Christian University

Jerry Polinard
2013
Professor of Political Science, University of Texas-Pan American

RJ Holmes-Leopold
2021
Director, Career Center,
Carleton College

Gwyn Wallander
2020
Senior Student Services Coordinator and Pre-Law Advisor, University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee

Frank Guliuzza
2018
Professor of Government and Dean of Academic Affairs, Patrick Henry College

Karen Severn
2016
Assistant Director, Office of Professional School Advising, Texas A&M University

Jim L. Riley
2014
Professor Emeritus of Politics, Regis University

Anne Brandt
2012
Executive Director, LSAC